Rachel dropped her knife and looked at her husband.
"Can you account for it?" she asked faintly.
"I am afraid I can. Since the war every article of food has risen in price."
"Then it's in the housekeeping?"
"Yes, it's in the housekeeping."
"Are we spending more than when you lived with your mother?" Luke's eyes were on his plate.
"My dear I don't think we gain much by probing into matters," he said evasively.
"But I want to know the truth," said Rachel persistently. "Is my housekeeping more extravagant than your mother's?"
"Well as you ask me, I am afraid it is," he said uncomfortably. "But I know you can't possibly help it."
Rachel was silent. Then she said, pushing her plate away from her, as she felt she could not eat another mouthful, "I can't think how we could live more economically."